Traineeship & Programmes

Our traineeships offer a unique opportunity to learn about how the European Parliament works and get practical knowledge on the functioning of our political group. Throughout their traineeship, trainees are supervised by an Administrator from our Secretariat.
 

What we offer

Five months paid traineeships

We offer five-month traineeships to EU citizens and candidates from associated and candidate countries. In addition, we also grant traineeships by way of derogation to a limited number of nationals from other countries.

This type of traineeship is addressed to young people who have a university degree or have completed three years of study (at least six terms) at a university or an equivalent institute of higher education.

The EPP Group covers the cost of living in Brussels with a monthly allowance of €1.500.

Unpaid, short-term traineeships of a maximum length of 3 months (when the traineeship is compulsory in the framework of the university studies)

This type of traineeship is addressed to university students who have not yet completed at least six terms at university and when the traineeship is a compulsory part of their studies. This has to be justified by a letter provided by the university. The EPP Group can offer a limited number of this type of traineeship.

Moreover, the EPP Group has a compulsory, primary sickness and accident insurance for trainees. All trainees get to attend one plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from young people with disabilities.

Who can apply

For both paid and unpaid traineeships, you can apply as long as:

 

  • You are a national of a Member State of the European Union or an associated or candidate country;
  • You know two official EU languages well, one of which needs to be English, French or German. If you are from a non-EU country, you only need to know at least one of the EU working languages (at B2 level or above);
  • You have not been granted a paid traineeship in any other EU Institution, and you have not already been in gainful employment since completing your studies;
  • For the paid traineeship: you must have a university degree, have completed three years of study (at least six terms) at a university or an equivalent institute of higher education;
  • For the unpaid traineeship: having not completed 6 terms of university studies, you must provide an attestation from the university stating that a traineeship is mandatory in the framework of your studies and its required length.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for a traineeship, just complete our online application form.

Important note: Please note that you will need to prepare some documents in advance, such as letters of recommendation and copies of diplomas as those will have to be attached to the application form.

For details, please consult the Calls for Interest for trainees below.

You can find further details about the EPP Group’s traineeships in the Rules.

 

 

 

When to apply?

TRAINEESHIP PERIODONLINE APPLICATION
February - JuneWill be open on 15 October and closed by 12:00 (CET) on 15 November
September - FebruaryWill be open on 15 April and closed by 12:00 (CET) on 15 May

Please direct any queries you have on traineeships to:

* We will not process any emails sent directly to staff members.

epp-stages@europarl.europa.eu

Open calls for interest

Currently, we have no open calls for interest. Please check back later.

Application

Deadlines for applications.

Autumn traineeship

15 May 12:00 CET

Selection

Candidates will be informed about the outcome of their application.

Autumn traineeship

30 June

Traineeship start

Traineeships will start.

Autumn traineeship

beginning of September

EPP Group Directorates

Directorate's mission:

To strengthen the Group's campaigning organisation, especially in the area of social media communications and in the organisation of the Group's campaigns and events. It is composed of the Social Media Unit and the Events Unit.

Trainees' job description:

  • Researching market options, providing recommendations for service providers, and assisting in drawing up tendering procedures
  • Preparing concepts for photoshoots to support communication campaigns
  • Researching, drafting prefaces and proofreading Group publications in English
  • Providing administrative support to the Events, Protocol, Publications and Programmes Unit team of the EPP Group
  • Attending weekly Events Unit, Press Directorate and Group forward planning meetings

Directorate's mission:

To provide operational support for the Group's activities in the fields of ICT, HR, and Finance.

Trainees' job description:

  • Drafting minutes, briefing notes and other documents
  • Preparing statistical reports on various topics linked to the activity of the unit
  • Assisting the ICT systems administrators in maintaining the Group's intranet, Website and internal databases
  • Assisting in the preparation of financial statements and analysis
  • Contributing to the completion of tasks assigned to the unit

Directorate's mission:

To coordinate the work of the Parliamentary Committees and plenary activities, such as legislative and non-legislative reports, amendments, resolutions, etc. It comprises the Legislative Coordination Unit, WG Economy and Environment, WG Budget and Structural Policies, and WG Legal and Home Affairs.

Trainees' job description:

  • Assisting in legislative work: drafting amendments, analysing reports, preparing comments on draft compromises, and preparing Committee and plenary voting lists
  • Assisting in Committee coordination: checking Members' attendance Committee votes, coordinating Members' speaking slots, supporting liaison and coordination with the Committee Secretariat and the Coordinator's office, and preparing preparatory meetings
  • Taking minutes of Coordinators' meetings
  • Drafting comments on items to be voted on at the next plenary session ahead of the Group Week
  • Writing summaries of EC proposals, taking minutes of internal meetings, and attending stakeholders' events

Directorate's mission:

To ensure that the legislative initiatives and political objectives of the EPP Group are communicated effectively to the Brussels press corps, European media, interested stakeholders and the public. It is divided into the European Press Unit and the National Press Unit.

Trainees' job description:

  • Daily monitoring and preparation of the press reviews on the national and European press
  • Editing weekly highlights
  • Research and media monitoring of EU hot topics
  • Following the European Commission midday briefings and report on it
  • Following speeches in plenary sessions and preparing draft press releases
  • Drafting the main messages for topics related to legislative work
  • Drafting the EPP Group highlights for topics expected to be relevant in the coming week
  • Drafting suggestions for tweets
  • Following relevant meetings and writing minutes or briefings
  • Assisting in the organisation of press conferences and media events
  • Proofreading and translations

Directorate's mission:

To develop and implement the Group's outreach to the broader network of the EPP family and enhance contacts with the National Parliaments and Young Members Network. It comprises the EPP Group Network Unit and the Intercultural and Religious Dialogue Unit.

Trainees' job description:

  • Assisting in preparation of topical meetings with Members of the national Parliaments, Summits of EPP Group Chairs, Young Members Network, Erasmus for EPP Parliamentarians, SME Circle, and Committee meetings
  • Drafting notes and minutes from meetings, events and conferences
  • Contact with MEPs' offices in relation to the Directorate's activities
  • Preparation of briefings, background research
  • Assisting in the organisation of thematic events
  • Assisting in the preparation of publications, reports and newsletters

Directorate's mission:

To ensure the preparation of the work of the political organs of the Group and the European Parliament. The Group's archives are included under this Directorate.

Trainees' job description:

  • Writing notes on European policy issues
  • Carrying out background research for speeches, articles and briefings
  • Supporting the organisation of external Bureau Meetings and EPP Group Academy events
  • Monitoring opinion polls
  • Research and supporting the analysis of political documents
  • Participation in relevant meetings of the European Parliament, other European Institutions and stakeholders

Directorate's mission:

To organise the work of the Group's Committees and Inter-parliamentary Delegations in the field of external policies and to assist members of the EPP Group in their activities within the Inter-parliamentary Delegations.

Trainees' job description:

  • Attending Committee and Inter-parliamentary Delegation meetings, drafting minutes and reporting to the supervisor
  • Monitoring Parliamentary activities, performing background research, attending events, drafting briefings and speaking points related to the work of the assigned Committee and Delegation
  • Assisting with drafting and preparation of Committee reports, amendments and urgency resolutions
  • Assisting with the preparation and follow-up of plenary discussions on matters related to the WG Foreign Policies

 

2 women smile while looking at a laptop screen

Young Members of Parliaments (MP) Erasmus

Our Young Members Network (YMN) launched its Young MP Erasmus Programme with two goals in mind: bringing national and European politicians closer together and creating an EPP network of young politicians to work together to build the future of Europe.

The Young MP Erasmus Programme gives MPs from EPP sister parties the chance to experience how the European Parliament works – and how EU legislation is drafted – for themselves. Participants spend one week in Brussels collaborating with young EPP Group MEPs on a defined topic linked to their daily work. They take part in EPP Group meetings, Committee meetings and plenary sessions, and meet with influencers, decision-makers, voters and journalists. It is a unique opportunity to both share ideas and develop personal relationships.

If you’re interested in applying for the programme, just send an e-mail to epp-youngmembers@europarl.europa.eu, and we will get in touch with you.

The EPP Group Young Members Network (YMN) will cover your accommodation and travel costs.

Research grant

Our grant programme aims to help researchers interested in the history, role and impact of Christian Democracy on the process of European integration broaden their research. Offered once a year, it gives researchers access to primary sources at the Historical Archives of the European Union in Florence, the EPP Group’s archives in Brussels and/or the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Sankt Augustin, near Bonn.

If you are interested in applying, you’ll need to get your application in by the end of June, and we’ll let you know if you’ve been successful by the end of July. Successful applicants will receive a research grant of 5000 Euro to cover expenses related to accessing primary sources. 

If you’d like to know more about our annual research grant, check out Postgraduate Research Grant(s) on Christian Democracy and European Integration. 

 

Close up of colourful suspension files in a filing cabinet

Testimonials

Why you should apply for an EPP Group traineeship!

14.04.2023

Why should you apply for an EPP Group traineeship?

14.04.2023

Favourite memory of your EPP Group traineeship

14.04.2023

Why others applied for an EPP Group traineeship

14.04.2023

Marta (Italy)

14.04.2023

Mark (Netherlands)

14.04.2023

A traineeship at the EPP Group in one word

14.04.2023

Why you should apply for an EPP Group traineeship

14.04.2023

Teresa (Spain)

31.10.2018

Helena (Estonia)

31.10.2018

Enrico (Italy)

31.10.2018

Antoni (Spain)

31.10.2018

Carolina (Spain)

31.10.2018

Jakub (Poland)

31.10.2018

Timo (Germany)

31.10.2018

Nico (Germany)

31.10.2018

FAQ

We will contact you as soon as possible to inform you about the admission to the traineeship based on the above-mentioned criteria. Above is an indicative timeline of the traineeship selection procedure.

The EPP Group is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from qualified women and men who fulfil the job requirements, regardless of their age, race, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, sexual identity or any other characteristic.

The EPP Group ensures that applicants' personal data are processed in line with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, particularly as regards their confidentiality and security and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC.